Chairman Cramer

The press release seemed average enough. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville, was named chairman of the oversight and investigations subcommittee of the House Intelligence Committee. He had been ranking member when the Republicans were in charge, so it was not unexpected.

But wait. Wasn't that already given to Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida? Democratic leaders had earlier bypassed Hastings - who has a controversial background -- for the chairmanship of the full committee but named him chair of the oversight subcommittee instead.

Cramer's office didn't offer any explanation for the switch, and Congressional Quarterly couldn't find one either, saying only that the situation was "touchy."

Democrats have already demonstrated that they plan to aggressively exercise their newfound "oversight and investigations" role all over Capitol Hill, so it will be interesting to keep an eye on Cramer's agenda.